Synagogues

News about Synagogues, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jun. 9, 2016

David W Dunlap Building Blocks column discusses two rare cases in which New York City's Board of Standards and Appeals has rejected plans to change landmark religious structures; board turned down developers' plans to convert First Church of Christ, Scientist on Upper West Side into luxury apartments and rejected request by Congregation Shearith Israel to build condominium behind its historic synagogue on Central Park West. MORE

May. 17, 2016

Federal judge awards control of historic Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI, to its dwindling congregation Jeshuat Israel, which plans to sell Colonial-era silver rimonim; ownership of synagogue had been challenged by New York-based Shearith Israel. MORE

Feb. 4, 2016

David W Dunlap Building Blocks column observes construction workers are completing Congregation Beit Simchat Torah's first permanent home in New York City after 43-year quest to build synagogue designed for congregation's needs as home for gay Jews; notes congregation opted for design for Midtown structure that has glass facade, symbol of its pride and openness to all. MORE

Jan. 25, 2016

Michael Wilson Crime Scene column recounts tale of arrest of Robert Krah, homeless man in Queens, for petty larceny after he was observed on security camera recordings repeatedly stealing money from a synagogue's poor box using a coat hanger; Krah had been arrested for same crime, using same tool, at a nearby church in 2014. MORE

Dec. 20, 2015

Historic East Village synagogue makes deal with developer East River Partners to convert its upper floors into condominiums; congregation will use first floor and basement, and residential units will feature original details including stained glass. MORE

Dec. 9, 2015

Magdala Stone, unearthed by archaeologists in 2009 near Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, is forcing scholars to revisit ideas about synagogues and their relationship with Temple around dawn of Christianity; block was found in center of old synagogue, suggesting that space was considered sacred and reserved for religious ritual. MORE

Nov. 6, 2015

Five beautiful historic synagogues lying behind nondescript facades in area of Venice where one of Europe's first Jewish ghettos was established in 1516 provide testament to what was once thriving, international neighborhood. MORE

Sep. 22, 2015

The Appraisal column; developer Sharif El-Gamal has agreed to build new synagogue in Dream Hotel he is constructing at 40th Street and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to house Garment Center Congregation; synagogue's current building, which served as congregation's home since 1960s, is being demolished to make way for hotel. MORE

Sep. 11, 2015

Kehilath Jeshurun, synagogue on Manhattan's Upper East Side nearly destroyed by fire in 2011, reopens in time for Rosh Hashana; extensively reconstructed building, which is home to one of most wealthy and influential congregations in Manhattan, features new floors, classroom and chapel. MORE

Jun. 4, 2015

David W Dunlap Building Blocks column examines history of synagogue at Congregation Kehilath on Manhattan's Upper East Side, which has emerged from four-year renovation after devastating fire that collapsed structure's roof; observes that much of building remains the same, though additions include a top-level gym. MORE

May. 27, 2015

Sons of Israel synagogue in South Bend, Ind, has been repurposed as souvenir shop for South Bend Cubs, Class A team of the Chicago Cubs; 114-year-old building, which had not been used by congregation since 1991, is owned by city and was restored with help of team owner Andrew Berlin; transformation has sparked debate among jews and preservationists in community. MORE

Apr. 28, 2015

The Appraisal column; New York State attorney general's office is reviewing allegations that $13 million sale of synagogue-owned nursing home Home of the Sages in Lower East Side to apartment developer will largely benefit its president, Samuel Aschkenazi, and further diminish Jewish identity of the neighborhood. MORE

Feb. 2, 2015

UJA-Federation of New York releases first comprehensive study of small but growing trend of synagogues that have switched from charging mandatory annual dues to voluntary pledge system; around 30 synagogues across the United States have adopted voluntary system, which seeks to address questions about mandatory system's sustainability. MORE

Nov. 19, 2014

Two Palestinians armed with gun, knives and axes storm synagogue in Jerusalem, killing four men, including three Americans; assailants are killed at scene, along with police officer; politicians and others worldwide condemn attack, worst in city since 2008, and its sectarian nature. MORE

Apr. 29, 2014

Appraisal column; Fort Tryon Jewish Center in Washington Heights, synagogue built in 1938, sits in disrepair several years after rebuilding came to a halt; its destruction is the result of an unconventional rehabilitation deal with a condominium developer, arrangement that many congregants once saw as their salvation; as with so many real estate deals during the boom years, it has devolved into a long fight with a bank. MORE

Feb. 11, 2014

Sharif El-Gamal, developer whose plans for Islamic prayer and community center near World Trade Center collapsed in 2011, is back in spotlight; his firm plans to demolish building in Midtown Manhattan to create 23-story retail center and hotel; site includes Garment Center Synagogue, formed in 1930 on 99-year lease, and El-Gamal says he plans to temporarily relocate congregation and then move it back into new building. MORE

Jan. 31, 2014

Group of Jews in Burlington, Vt, have begun a costly effort to restore a mural inside a synagogue that painted in 1910 and long-regarded as a curiosity. MORE

Sep. 7, 2013

Samuel G Freedman On Religion column notes that hundreds of ordained cantors, seminary students and trained laity crisscross globe for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur each year to serve synagogues without full-time cantors. MORE

Aug. 19, 2013

Wilshire Boulevard Temple, faded Los Angeles synagogue built by Hollywood moguls on the eve of the Depression, is regaining its splendor with a dazzling $150 million renovation and expansion project. MORE

Apr. 12, 2013

Turkish police say they have found evidence of plot linked to Al Qaeda to bomb United States Embassy in Ankara, synagogue in Istanbul and other targets, from a raid on two terrorist cells in February. MORE

Mar. 16, 2013

Ahmed Ferhani, man who pleaded guilty in plot to attack New York City synagogues, is sentenced to 10 years in prison, even as his lawyers continue to insist he was manipulated by undercover detective and never had any intention of carrying out plot. MORE

Feb. 19, 2013

House of Representatives overwhelmingly approves legislation that would allow the use of federal money to rebuild churches and synagogues damaged by Hurricane Sandy, despite concern that such aid could violate the doctrine of separation of church and state; prospects for the bill in the Senate are uncertain. MORE

Dec. 5, 2012

Congregants of synagogue B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan are divided--some appalled, some enthusiastic--after rabbis send an e-mail enthusiastically supporting vote by the United Nations to upgrade Palestine to a nonmember observer state; clergy at several Jewish congregations have spoken out sympathetically about the UN vote, but B’nai Jeshurun's move stands out because of its size and prominence, MORE

Dec. 5, 2012

Ahmed Ferhani, accused of plotting to blow up the largest synagogue in Manhattan, pleads guilty to 10 terrorism-related charges; Mohamed Mamdouh, second man charged in plot, also pleads guilty; both men were charged under a New York State terrorism statute passed after the 9/11 attacks in a case that did not involve federal authorities. MORE

Nov. 13, 2012

Leaders at dozens of houses of worship across the region affected by Hurricane Sandy are in an extraordinary and emotionally difficult situation; instead of being able to focus on the urgent mission of feeding and caring for congregants hurt by the storm, many clergy members are being forced to ask for help for themselves as they face the reality of damaged or destroyed churches and synagogues. MORE

Oct. 25, 2012

Ribbon cutting ceremony is held for restored synagogue Congregation Tifereth Israel in Corona, Queens, which was likely to be demolished before a new community of worshippers undertook campaign to save 1911 landmark. MORE

Sep. 19, 2012

Synagogues across the country are offering cash incentives to attract new members to their graying or shrinking Jewish communities; Young Israel of Plainview synagogue on Long Island is an example, offering newlyweds and young families as much as $25,000 in interest-free loans, along with free or discounted synagogue membership. MORE

Mar. 3, 2012

Aakash Dalal is arrested in the January firebombing of two synagogues in northern New Jersey and charged with aggravated arson and bias intimidation; first man arrested, Anthony Graziano, faces charges that include attempted murder. MORE

Jan. 21, 2012

Effort to establish the heart of Manhattan's East Village as a historic district is fiercely challenged by the neighborhood's synagogues and churches; officials from almost a dozen houses of worship argue that inclusion in a landmark district would make even simple repairs more expensive and bureaucratically time-consuming, and would make their property far less attractive to buyers since developers would be restricted in what they could do. MORE

Jan. 12, 2012

Molotov cocktail is thrown into home of Rabbi Nosson Schuman, where he lives with his family in Rutherford, NJ; authorities believe the attack may be linked to an earlier firebombing of a synagogue in Paramus; authorities are also investigating two cases from December of swastikas being found on Bergen County synagogues for possible links. MORE

It has taken Beit Simchat Torah, once hit hard by AIDS, 43 years to be able to build a synagogue designed for its needs, in a property that it owns. On April 3, it will officially open its new home on West 30th Street.